(a) Any person operating a well pursuant to an appropriation permit shall install a meter of a type and in the manner specified by regulations of the Commissioner for the purpose of recording the amount of water drawn from the well. When appropriate, meters may also be required in connection with the withdrawal of water by other means under an appropriation permit.
(b) The Commissioner shall have the power, in the case of wells excepted from the permit requirement by section 153 of this title, to install a meter at the Government's expense.
(c) Each well shall have an opening of not less than ¾ inch in diameter for the measurement of water levels in the well by means of a wetted steel tape. For sanitary purposes this opening shall be sealed by means of a plug when not in use. The well shall be so constructed that this opening shall be readily accessible.